Adjustable impedance high speed data connector, and methods of assembling and operating thereof

ABSTRACT

An adjustable impedance high speed data connector, and methods for assembling and operating thereof. The adjustable impedance high speed data connector of this invention includes a printed circuit board accommodated within, or printed or stamped onto, a tray, the printed circuit board including sets of terminals respectively extending on opposite ends of the printed circuit board. Mounted onto the printed circuit board and electrically connected thereto is at least one electric module having a fixed or adjustable capacitance or a fixed or adjustable inductance, which may be combined in any desired combination to achieve a desired impedance for the connector. By adjusting the variable capacitance or inductance of the electric module (or the variable combinations of capacitance and/or inductance of a plurality of electric modules), the impedance within the connector is adjustable for allowing the connector to operate at various ranges of bandwidths.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/529,704 filed Jul. 7, 2017, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A conventional high speed data (HSD) connector requires a twisted pairof data transfer elements (e.g., a twisted pair of cables or the like),which reduces the effects of electro-magnetic interference (noise) on anelectric signal. By twisting the data transfer elements or cables aroundeach other, any interference affecting one will also affect the othertypically causing a rise or drop in voltage in both. As the signal isread based on the difference between the two data transfer elements, thedifference remains the same regardless on whether the signals passingthrough both transfer elements move increases or decreases. Theconventional HSD connector, which employs the twisted data transferelements, thus eliminates impedance matching, but does not havevariability when used in a tooling or equipment having differentbandwidth and impedance. Moreover, the conventional HSD connector, withthe twisted data transfer elements, requires special handling whenre-tooling a connector requiring different bandwidths and impedances.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to an adjustable impedance high speeddata connector, and methods for assembling and operating thereof. Moreparticularly, the adjustable impedance high speed data connector of thisinvention includes a printed circuit board accommodated within, orprinted or stamped onto a tray, the printed circuit board having sets ofterminals (e.g., a set of input terminals and a set of output terminals)respectively extending on opposite ends of the printed circuit board.Mounted onto the printed circuit board and electrically connectedthereto is at least one electric module having a capacitance,inductance, or a resulting impedance. The electric modules, each havinga capacitance or inductance, may be combined in any desired combinationto achieve a resulting impedance for the connector. Each of the electricmodules may also be independently adjustable. Such electric moduleincludes an adjustable means, either mechanical or electrical, foradjusting at least one of the capacitance and inductance of each of theelectric modules so as to adjust the resulting impedance of the highspeed data connector of this invention.

With the adjustability of the resulting impedance of the electricmodules, the output impedance of the connector becomes substantially thesame as the input impedance; thus, any effect of electro-magneticinterference on the electrical signal passing through the circuit withinthe printed circuit board of the connector is reduced. Moreover, byadjusting the capacitance or inductance of each of the electric modulesor combining the electric modules each having a capacitance orinductance, the adjustable impedance high speed data connector of thisinvention may be used in various ranges of bandwidths. Thus, the need tore-tool the connector for use in different bandwidths and impedances canbe avoided or altogether eliminated.

Moreover, the adjustable impedance high speed data connector of thisinvention can be used with standard cables, which provides for easyassembly and handling. By adjusting the variable capacitance orinductance of the electric module (or the variable combinations ofcapacitance and/or inductance of a plurality of electric modules), theimpedance within the connector is adjustable for allowing the connectorto operate at various ranges of bandwidths.

Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention areset forth or apparent from consideration of the following detaileddescription, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood thatboth the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detaileddescription are exemplary and intended to provide further explanationswithout limiting the scope of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the adjustable impedance high speed dataconnector of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial exploded view of the first embodiment of theadjustable impedance high speed data connector of this invention showinga cover and a tray for accommodating therein a printed circuit boardwith at least an electric module having an adjustable capacitance or anadjustable inductance.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the first embodiment of the adjustableimpedance high speed data connector of this invention showing the cover,the tray, and the printed circuit board having at least an adjustablecapacitance or inductance electric module mounted thereon.

FIG. 4 is an elevational top view of the first embodiment of theadjustable impedance high speed data connector of this invention.

FIG. 5 is a first side elevational view of the adjustable impedance highspeed data connector of this invention.

FIG. 6 is a second side elevational view of the adjustable impedancehigh speed data connector of this invention.

FIG. 7 is a first end elevational view of the adjustable impedance highspeed data connector of this invention.

FIG. 8 is a second end elevational view of the adjustable impedance highspeed data connector of this invention.

FIG. 9 is a partial exploded view of the second embodiment of theadjustable impedance high speed data connector of this invention showinga cover and a tray for accommodating therein a printed circuit boardwith at least an electric module mounted thereon, the electric modulehaving a capacitance or an inductance therein.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the second embodiment of the adjustableimpedance high speed data connector of this invention showing the cover,the tray, and the printed circuit board having at least an electricmodule mounted thereon, the electric module having a capacitance or aninductance therein.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the adjustableimpedance high speed data connector of this invention showing theprinted circuit board having circuit patterns or traces stamped into thetray, the printed circuit board having at least an electric modulemounted thereon, the electrical module having a capacitance or aninductance therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the adjustable impedance high speed dataconnector of this invention, generally referred to by reference number1. The connector 1 includes a cover and a tray 5. Contained within thecover 3 and the tray 5 (and mounted onto the tray 4) is a printedcircuit board 8. So as to secure the printed circuit board 8 within thetray 5 covered by the cover 3, guide members 10 extend from the innersides 12 of the tray 5. The cover 3 includes at least a first protrudinglatch 14, while the tray 5 includes at least a second protruding latch16, the first and second protruding latches 14, 16 capable of engagingwith each other to secure the cover 3 onto the tray 5.

When the cover 3 is secured onto the tray 5 with the first and secondprotruding latches 14, 16 the adjustable impedance high speed dataconnector 1 includes a first inlet 20 passing through a first end 21 ofthe connector 1 and a second inlet 22 passing through a second end 23 ofthe connector 1, the first end 21 and the second end 23 being atopposite ends of the connector 1. As further illustrated in FIG. 1, thefirst inlet 20 of the first end 21 accommodates therein a firstconnector assembly 25 with a first set of terminal apertures 30 capableof having a first set of terminals (not shown) and being insertedtherein for connection with the printed circuit board housed within theconnector 1. Similarly, the second inlet 22 of the second end 23accommodates therein a second connector assembly 27 with a second set ofterminal apertures 32 capable of having a second set of terminals (notshown) and being inserted therein for connection with the printedcircuit board housed within the connector 1.

The first embodiment of the adjustable impedance high speed dataconnector 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 shows the cover 3 having an elongatedwindow 35 passing through an upper portion thereof The cover 3 includesleg portions 37 at corners thereof. At sides 40, 41 of the cover 3 areside leg portions 44. Upon assembly, the leg portions 37 mount onto thecorresponding corner ledge portions 46 at corners of the tray 5, whilethe side ledge portions 44 mount onto corresponding side ledge portions48 of the tray 5.

Secured onto the tray 5 is the printed circuit board 8 having sets ofend terminals 50, 52, circuit elements 54, and electric modules 55. Theprinted circuit board 8 is secured onto the tray 5 by the guide members10 extending from the inner sides 12 of the tray 5, while the endterminals 50, 52 are secured within upstanding member 60, 62,respectively. The end terminals 50 connect to the first connectorassembly 25 (or the second connector assembly 27) (see, FIG. 1), whilethe end terminals 52 connect to the second connector assembly 27 (or thefirst connector assembly 25) (see, also, FIG. 1). The printed circuitboard 8 is secured onto the tray 5 on its four sides by the guidemembers 10 and the end guide members 65, 67 (see, FIG. 3) of the tray 5.

Electric modules 55 are mounted onto the printed circuit board 8 andconnected thereto (by solder, glue, or the like). Each of the electricmodules 55 may be an adjustable capacitance modules or an adjustableinductance modules, and includes on an upper portion thereof a rotatablescrew-type head portion 58. The rotatable screw-type head portion 58 ofthe module 55 may be rotated by a tool (a screwdriver, or the like) foradjusting therein the capacitance or the inductance of the electricmodule 55. The adjustments of the capacitances or inductances of thevarious electric modules 55, at varying degrees, allows for theimpedance of the printed circuit board to be adjusted to a desiredvalue.

FIG. 3 is a full exploded view of the first embodiment of the connector1 of this invention, as also shown (in a partial exploded view) in FIG.2. The tray 5 is shown with the second latches 16 extending therefrom,guide members 10 extending from the inner sides 12, corner ledgeportions 46, and upstanding members 60, 62, the later having end guidemembers 65, 67, respectively, extending therefrom, for guiding andsecuring the end portions 70, 72 of the printed circuit board 8,respectively. The printed circuit board includes thereon the circuitelements 54 and the electric modules 55.

The upstanding members 60, 62 of the tray 5 are for securing andmounting thereon the sets of end terminals 50, respectively, of theprinted circuit board 8. Upon assembly, the leg portions 37 of the cover3 respectively mount onto the cover ledge portions 46 of the tray 5. Thebottom end portions 75 of the cover 3 mount on respective end ledgeportions 77 of the tray 5. The side ledge portions 44 of the cover 3rests onto the corresponding side ledge portions 48 of the tray 5. Asdiscussed earlier with respect to FIG. 1, the first protruding latches14 of the cover 3 latch with the second protruding latches 16 of thetray 5 to house the printed circuit board 8 within the cover 3 and thetray 5.

Upon assembling the printed circuit board 8 within the cover 3 and thetray 5 of the connector 1, the printed circuit board 8, having thecircuit elements 54 and the electric modules 55 thereon, are visiblethrough the elongated window 35 of the cover 3 (as illustrated in FIG.4) for allowing each of the rotatable screw-type head portions 58 of theelectric modules 55 to be adjusted by the tool for adjusting thecapacitance or inductance of each of the electric modules 55.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the fully assembled adjustable impedance highspeed data connector 1 of this invention showing respective sidesthereof with the first and second protruding latches 14, 16 fullyconnected or latched together. The fully assembled connector 1, as shownin FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, is ready to receive, through the first inlet 20 ofthe first end 21, the first connector assembly 25 and to receive,through the second inlet 22 of the second end 23, the second connectorassembly 22. The first connector assembly 25 and the second connectorassembly 27 are connected to the sets of end terminals 50, 52,respectively, of the printed circuit board 8.

Shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are each set of the end terminals 50 or 52exposed through the first inlet 20 of the first end 21 or the secondinlet 22 of the second end 23 for connecting thereto with the firstconnector assembly 25 or the second connector assembly 27 (see, FIG. 1).

A second embodiment of the adjustable impedance high speed dataconnector of this invention, generally designated as reference number80, is shown in FIG. 9. Here, for the second embodiment of thisinvention, other than a printed circuit board 82 thereof, the samereference numbers are used for similar parts or elements as in thedescriptions of the first embodiment; and thus, the description thereofare not described herein for the second embodiment.

As seen in FIG. 9, the printed circuit board 82 is guided and secured,by the guide members 10 and upstanding members 60, 62 of the tray 5,onto the tray 5. As in the first embodiment, sets of terminals 84, 86extend at respective ends 87, 89 of the printed circuit board 82 of thesecond embodiment for connecting with the first connector assembly 25 orthe second connector assembly 27 (see, FIG. 1). As further shown in FIG.9, a combination of electric modules 88 having varying capacitances orvarying inductances for providing the resulting impedance of theconnector 80, which may be adjusted or varied. In other words, theresulting impedance of the connector 80 may be adjusted by varying thecombinations of electric modules 88, each module 88 having a conductanceor inductance, mounted onto the printed circuit board 82. That is, theelectric modules 88, each having a specific capacitance or inductance,are mounted, in varying desired combinations to achieve a resultingimpedance for the connector 80, the impedance of the connector 80thereby being adjustable. The electric modules 8 are mounted onto theprinted circuit board 82 and connected thereto (by solder, glue, or thelike).

As in the first embodiment (see, FIG. 3), the printed circuit board 82of the second embodiment, shown in FIG. 10, is guided, mounted, orsecured, by the guide members 10 and upstanding members 60, 62 of thetray 5, onto the tray 5, and subsequently connected thereto (by solder,glue, or the like). The printed circuit board 82 is thereafter housedwithin the cover 3 and the tray 5, and secured therein with the firstprotruding latches 14 of the cover 3 locking with the second protrudinglatches 16 of the tray. Subsequently, the sets of terminals 84, 86become available to connect with the first connector assembly 25 and thesecond connector assembly 27, respectively (see, FIG. 1).

FIG. 11 illustrates, in a perspective view, a third embodiment of theadjustable impedance high speed data connector of this invention showinga printed circuit board 90 having circuit patterns or traces 94 stampedinto the tray 5, the printed circuit board 90 having at least anelectric module mounted 95 thereon, the electrical module 95 having acapacitance or an inductance therein. For the third embodiment of thisinvention, other than the printed circuit board 90, the same referencenumbers are used for similar parts or elements as in the descriptions ofthe second embodiment; and thus, the descriptions thereof are notdescribed herein for the third embodiment.

The printed circuit board 90 of the third embodiment of this inventionincludes circuit patterns or traces 94 stamped into a floor 89 of thetray 5; and electric modules 95 are subsequently mounted onto theprinted circuit board 90 and connected thereto (by solder, glue, or thelike). The electric modules 95 may be similar to the electric modules 55of the first embodiment or the electric modules of the secondembodiment. Each of the electric modules 95 may, as in the secondembodiment, have a conductance or an inductance that may vary so as toachieve an adjustable or varying resulting impedance for the connector.

Alternatively, the electric modules 95 may each, as in the firstembodiment, include the rotatable screw-type head portion 58 (see, FIGS.2, 3, and 4) for adjusting the conductance or inductance thereof by thetool (a screwdriver or the like) for allowing the overall adjustment ofthe resulting impedance of the connector.

The cover 3, as described above with respect to the first and secondembodiments, may be similarly used in the third embodiment of thisinvention. The printed circuit board 90 of the third embodimentsimilarly includes sets of terminals 100, 102 and become available forconnecting with the first connector assembly 25 and the second connectorassembly 27 (see, FIG. 1), respectively, after the cover 3 is connectedto the tray 5 in the manner described above with respect to the firstand second embodiments.

With respect to the above-described first, second, and third embodimentsof this invention, the adjustment of the impedance of the connector ofthis invention allows for impedance matching (i.e.,Z_(input)=Z_(output), Z_(input) being the input impedance and Z_(output)being the output impedance of the connector), which in turn allows forthe reduction in noise or interference conducive to a favorableenvironment for a high speed signal passing through the connector ofthis invention. With the reduction of noise or interference and allowingfor a high speed signal to pass through the connector of this invention,power can be maximized.

By adjusting the variable capacitance or inductance of the electricmodule (or the variable combinations of capacitance and/or inductance ofthe plurality of electric modules 55, 88, 95), the impedance within theconnector is adjustable for allowing the connector to operate at variousranges of bandwidths.

Although the foregoing description is directed to the preferredembodiments of the invention, it is noted that other variations andmodifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and may bemade without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.Moreover, features described in connection with one embodiment of theinvention may be used in conjunction with other embodiments, even if notexplicitly stated above.

I claim:
 1. An adjustable impedance high speed data connector,comprising: a cover having at least a first protruding latch; a trayhaving at least a second protruding latch; a printed circuit boardmounted, in its entirety, onto a floor of the tray, the printed circuitboard having first and second sets of terminals extending on oppositeends thereof; and at least an electric module mounted onto the printedcircuit board and connected thereto, the electric module having at leasta capacitor or an inductor or a resistor, wherein the printed circuitboard is housed within the cover and the tray with the first and secondprotruding latches connected to each other, and wherein the coverincludes an elongated window spaced apart from the printed circuit boardand above the at least an electric module mounted onto the printedcircuit board for replacement or adjustment thereof through theelongated window thereabove.
 2. The adjustable impedance high speed dataconnector as in claim 1, wherein the electric module has a fixedcapacitor or a fixed inductor or a fixed resistor.
 3. The adjustableimpedance high speed data connector as in claim 1, wherein the electricmodule has an adjustable capacitor or an adjustable inductor or anadjustable resistor.
 4. The adjustable impedance high speed dataconnector as in claim 2, wherein a plurality of electric modulesincludes a combination of at least a capacitor and an inductor and aresistor to achieve a resulting adjustable impedance for the connector.5. The adjustable impedance high speed data connector as in claim 3,wherein a plurality of electric modules each having at least anadjustable capacitor or an adjustable inductor to achieve a resultingadjustable impedance for the connector.
 6. The adjustable impedance highspeed data connector as in claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board ispatterned or sketched into the floor of the tray.
 7. A method forassembling an adjustable impedance high speed data connector, comprisingthe steps of: providing a cover having at least a first protrudinglatch; providing a tray having at least a second protruding latch;housing a printed circuit board within the cover and the tray, theprinted circuit board having first and second sets of terminalsextending on opposite ends thereof, the printed circuit board beingmounted, in its entirety, onto a floor of the tray; mounting a pluralityof electric modules onto the printed circuit board, each of the electricmodules having at least a capacitor or an inductor or a resistor; andvarying the combination of the plurality of electric modules to achievea resulting adjustable impedance for the connector, wherein the coverincludes an elongated window spaced apart from the printed circuit boardand above the plurality of electric modules mounted onto the printedcircuit board for replacement or adjustment thereof through theelongated window thereabove.
 8. The method for assembling the adjustableimpedance high speed data connector as in claim 7, wherein the step ofvarying the combination of the plurality of electric modules includesthe step of adjusting the capacitor or inductor of each of the pluralityof electric modules.
 9. The method for assembling the adjustableimpedance high speed data connector as in claim 8, wherein the step ofadjusting the capacitor or inductor of each of the plurality of electricmodules includes the step of mechanically or electrically adjusting thecapacitor or inductor of each of the plurality of electric modules. 10.A method for operating an adjustable impedance high speed dataconnector, comprising the steps of: adjusting an impedance of a printedcircuit board housed within a cover and a tray latched onto each other,the printed circuit board being mounted, in its entirety, onto a floorof the tray; and connecting one end of the connector to a firstconnector assembly and another end of the connector to a secondconnector assembly, wherein the cover includes an elongated windowspaced apart from the printed circuit board and above the printedcircuit board for adjusting the impedance thereof through the elongatedwindow thereabove.
 11. The method for operating the adjustable impedancehigh speed data connector as in claim 10, wherein the step of adjustingthe impedance of the printed circuit board includes the step ofadjusting a combination of electric modules connected onto the printedcircuit board, each of the electric modules having a capacitor or aninductor.
 12. The method for operating the adjustable impedance highspeed data connector as in claim 10, wherein the step of adjusting theimpedance of the printed circuit board includes the step of adjusting acapacitor or an inductor of at least an electric module connected ontothe printed circuit board.
 13. The method for operating the adjustableimpedance high speed data connector as in claim 10, further comprisingthe step of matching an input impedance on the one end of the connectorto an output impedance on the another end of the connector to reducenoise or interference in the signal through the connector.
 14. Themethod for operating the adjustable impedance high speed data connectoras in claim 13, wherein the step of matching the input impedance and theoutput impedance of the connector includes the step of maximizing outputpower in the connector.
 15. The method for operating the adjustableimpedance high speed data connector as in claim 10, wherein the step ofadjusting the impedance of the printed circuit board within theconnector allows the connector to operate at various ranges ofbandwidths.